Tuesday, April 11, 2006

McKay Didn't Get The Memo

Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay says he'll use a trip to Washington this week to argue against American plans to require passports or special ID cards for Canadians at the border.

That appears to contradict Prime Minister Stephen Harper's recent public statement that Canadians must get used to the fact a secure document system is coming. MacKay is to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice in Washington on Thursday....

MacKay says the Canadian position was made clear during the recent Cancun summit attended by Harper and U.S. President George W. Bush, adding: "I'll be bringing forward the same position to Ms. Rice and their administration."

But after the Cancun meeting, Harper told reporters that there would be no turning back on Washington's border security plan.

McKay needs to realize that Harper already ceded the issue to Bush in Cancun, effectively rolling over despite the massive harm it will do to the Canadian economy. Remember, this is a American administration which is assured a prominent historical place, not to be taken lightly. McKay must be under that old misconception that his job as Minister of Foreign Affairs is to stand up for Canada. McKay is new to his portfolio and should be given some latitude. In time, he will have a better understanding that his main task, when speaking with American officials, is to access as much information as possible, so that we can better parrot their policies. It is important that no one can perceive light between our two positions, otherwise the friendship may suffer and clearly that is no one's interest.